I have a feeling that Dupuis knows he's on the downslope of his career and wants to remain a Penguin. He knows he's not going to continue to put up the numbers he has over the last two years and just wants to have fun and retire happy.

While I don't know for sure what he'll get, I do believe it will be completely reasonable. We won't overpay for him, nor will he demand it.

I don't think the Pens want anything longer than a 3 year deal and no more than a 2.5 cap hit. (7.5) which even Shero knows he can't ask. He will tell Pascal to go test the market and see what he is worth and the Pens will see what they can offer. So in a nut shell Shero knows he is letting him walk since we just can't afford him, or his worth.

murphydump55 wrote:I have a feeling that Dupuis knows he's on the downslope of his career and wants to remain a Penguin. He knows he's not going to continue to put up the numbers he has over the last two years and just wants to have fun and retire happy.

While I don't know for sure what he'll get, I do believe it will be completely reasonable. We won't overpay for him, nor will he demand it.

FWIW, this was the most rational post I've seen. Kind of the forest view given all of the trees people have proposed. Pascal wants to be here where the pressure is on the centers that make him look great. That is worth a discount.

Mr. Colby wrote:I think 3 years 9 million is reasonable from both parties.

I'm certain somebody would offer him 4 years 15 million though.

You are certainly wrong. 3 years for 9 mill...for a durable, fast, two way hockey player who is also versatile and is just a guy you want as a teammate...WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

He will fetch 4 million per year MINIMUM. Look around the league and see what some wingers are making and Dupuis is twice the player. Actually you dont have to look any further than the Pens themselves.

I think the market will be high on these wingers that may help teams add talent and scoring without burning cap, but There are a handful of wingers that could determine the final pricetag, but the guys who are as productive and durable as Duper are also younger. Either way, I think his target range more in the Drew Stafford/Mike Fisher range... $4 million or more.

He can retire after the 2nd or 3rd year, with no cap implications, should he choose.

Is that legal under the new 20% rule (or whatever it is)?

No, it is not allowed under the current CBA. You can have 35% variation year to year, with no season less than 50% of the highest paid season. So a 4 year 12 million deal could go $4M - $3.3M - $2.7M - $2M, but that is really about the best you could do to front load the contract.

$9.75MM / three. He takes this to avoid moving his family and chase another cup. He would get more money on the open market, but he will eliminate teams that aren't immediate contenders. I won't blame him if he finds more money with another contender, but if he leaves he'll go someplace to be the final piece of a puzzle.

Take Dupuis away from Crosby and his numbers will drop precipitously. That won't stop a GM from offering him a ridiculous sum of money. He'll want years, too, and Shero just can't offer him what he wants.

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal and Bennett-Crosby-Iginla will be the top 6 next season.